The Salem Red Sox (High A; Carolina League) have announced that on-field host Suzie Cool will join Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations Ben Gellman on select broadcasts this season. According to the team, this makes Cool the first female broadcaster in Carolina League history.
Cool’s first broadcast for the team will come this Friday, May 4, as the Sox visit the Potomac Nationals at Pfitzner Stadium in Woodbridge, VA. She will be the first female broadcaster in Carolina League and just the fourth active female broadcaster in Minor League Baseball, joining Kirsten Karbach (Clearwater Threshers), Emma Tiedemann (Lexington Legends) and Melanie Newman (Frisco RoughRiders).
“This Friday, I get to take one more step towards my dream and I get to show everyone what I know about the game of baseball,” said Cool. “I didn’t just get here by myself, though. There are many individuals who have taught me many important aspects about this industry along this journey that I’m on, and I would not be where I am without them.
“With that being said, though, I’m ecstatic that this opportunity has found me at the right moment in time. I can’t wait to dissect the game from a former player’s point of view for everyone to finally hear.”
“Suzie has been an outstanding addition to the Red Sox staff this season,” said Red Sox President and General Manager Ryan Shelton. “Her talent and knowledge make it a natural fit for her to join Ben in the broadcast booth. I could not be more proud to have Suzie break new ground in the Carolina League.”
“I’m honored to have Suzie join me and add her knowledge and experience to our broadcasts,” said Gellman. “Her insights into the game and the Sox will enhance the stories that we’re able to bring our fans, and we’ll be able to take them inside the game in new and exciting ways.”
Cool joined the Red Sox after a successful tenure with AT&T Sports Network in Pittsburgh, where she helped produce content for Pittsburgh Pirates broadcasts and the Inside Pirates Baseball program. She also worked as a co-host for the in-game entertainment at PNC Park, and worked multiple years as a Pirates ball girl. Cool has also previously worked in production and entertainment for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer team, Root Sports Pittsburgh, and the Wheeling Nailers Hockey team. In the fall and winter of 2015 into early 2016, Cool worked as a media relations intern for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Red Sox broadcast all games on AM radio with ESPN Roanoke and ESPN Blacksburg, and an audio stream for all games is available via SalemSox.com and the TuneIn app.